Presented is a unique four light commercial diving helmet made by A. J. Morse & Sons, Inc., which when viewed from the front, may be mistaken for a famous Navy MK V dive helmet. It has an unusual coloration of various shades of vibrant green verdigris over a deep underlying brown patina. This gives it a dramatic appearance. The serial number 6014 on each of the brails, and on the upper and lower neck ring all match and there is an inventory control number stamped in the back of the bonnet and the breast plate. There are numerous small dents all over the bonnet with three significant dents across the top.

What sets this later style commercial helmet apart from the earlier versions is that their sidelights are rectangular and horizontal rather than standing vertical. The side and top guards have been modified by removing the center brace which may have been done to special order.

PROVENANCE: The helmet was sold on August 22, 1945 to C. J. Hendry Co. of San Francisco which was a ship chandler and fishing supplier. It ended up with Oceaneering a commercial diving company with operations in the Gulf of Mexico. The chain of ownership then went to a diver who is now deceased who worked the oil fields of the Gulf. When Oceaneering transitioned to the new light weight fiberglass helmets, he was given this hat as a memento. In 1972, he passed it on to a petroleum engineer of a major oil company who is the immediate past owner.   

Banana exhaust, drop down lock,unmarked star wheel

Like all used diving gear, this is being sold for DISPLAY ONLY. It should not be dived without having passed inspection by a certified dive shop.

 

 

Bottom of breast plate

Inside of bonnet

CONDITION:  The front door unscrews and the exhaust valve wheel turns. The air passages are all intact, one of them has been re soldered. The chin button is in place and functions. Field repairs were made to stop leaking around the top light. Other soldering has wasted due to galvanic action over the years. There are three significant dents across the top crown and many small dents.  All the ports are original and the left side glass is a replacement while the safety glass on the right side is showing small bubbles. The brass screws, two bolts and one nut have been replaced. There is no speaker.

 

A MK V speaker cup is positioned correctly. Note the Drop down lock on right

MARKINGS: The Morse name tag reads A.J. Morse & Son, Inc., Boston, Mass., USA, on four lines. The number 6014 appears on both the upper and lower neck rings and on safety of all four brails. The two front brails are stamped "front". There is an inventory control number 09-01-030 is stamped on the back of the bonnet and the breast plate.

 

 

Arrows point to inventory number and soldered field repair.

 

BRIEF HISTORY OF MORSE DIVING: In the arena of deep sea diving, there are few companies with the longevity and correctly Morse Diving. The company was founded in 1837 as a Boston maker of brass ware, three years before Englishman Augustus Siebe manufactured its first closed air dive helmet. During the Civil War, the firm commenced building maritime fittings and began experimenting with early underwater hardhat designs from Siebe-Gorman and other pioneering makers. In 1864, Andrew Morse bought out his partner, introduced his sons into the business, and began to focus on creating new products for underwater salvage expeditions. Morse was the first company to make the Navy MK V helmet, starting production in 1916. As their expertise and experience grew over the years, they developed a worldwide reputation as a major supplier of hardhat diving apparatus. Morse continues in business today in Rockland, MA.

A. Morse & Son, Inc. tag

Serial numbers on upper and lower neck ring

OUR UNCONDITIONAL NO NONSENSE GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned within five days of receipt in its original packaging if without damage. Return items must be insured for their full value. Only a prior email authorization from us for the return is required. Shipping charges are included in this offer within the continental United States if an error is due to our fault.

SHIPPING & PACKING: The cost of shipping, packing, handling, and insurance to your destination is an additional charge. We price our shipping honestly, but we expect to be reimbursed for the nominal cost of packaging materials and handling. Within the continental United States, a helmet will generally ship for $125.00 depending on destination and amount of insurance.

ACCEPTED FORMS OF PAYMENT are Bank wire transfer, cashier's check, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. Our prices are quoted net to seller, but credit cards may be accepted through PayPal for verified members by special arrangement.

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